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Behind Africa's Famine

More than 12 million people are at risk of death and starvation
in the Horn of Africa. Even if they do not perish, young
children are likely to suffer the lifelong effects of malnutrition, including
poor brain development. While reactions of grave concern
over this unfolding tragedy are natural, its causes are not. Most
commentators cite the worst droughts since the 1950s and security
concerns in southern Somalia as the main reasons for the crisis. Taken alone, however, these explanations are deeply flawed.